Seven minute hat-trick for pavey

Full-time from Calmont Road
Alfie Pavey bagged a sensational hat-trick in just seven minutes as Millwall’s U21s bounced back to winning ways with a thumping 4-1 victory over Coventry City at Calmont Road – their biggest of the season.

A strong Lions side including a sprinkling of senior players such as Paris Cowan-Hall, John Marquis and Ben Thompson, edged into a 1-0 lead at the break but Pavey produced a masterclass in finishing with three further goals after the break before Sky Blues grabbed a late consolation.

The visitors carved out the first chance of the game after seven minutes when George Thomas broke through on goal, but keeper Harry Girling was equal to the effort and made a smart save.

That early fright spurred Millwall into action and they responded by breaking the deadlock just two minutes later courtesy of Keaton Wood’s powerful header from a corner.

Coventry had a couple of opportunities to level before the break with Cian Harries firing narrowly wide and Conor Thomas’ 25-yarder parried by Girling.

Having created perhaps the clearer chances in the opening half, Coventry were taught a harsh lesson in the art of finishing as Lions skipper Pavey took centre stage with a hat-trick in seven blistering minutes.

Pavey grabbed his first, and Millwall’s second of the game, on 55 minutes with a poacher’s finish at the back post after Sky Blues had failed to deal with another corner.

The young striker tapped home from close range to make it 3-0 on the hour mark following a sweeping move down the left flank and completed his quick-fire treble in the 62nd-minute when another cross from the left was guided home by Pavey. It was Pavey’s seventh goal for the U21s this season to date.

Coventry made a double substitution in a bid to stop the rampant Lions and showed great character to keep plugging away, despite trailing 4-0.

Adam Jackson saw his 80th-minute header cleared off the line before the visitors did eventually score what proved to be a late consolation when Bassala Sambou headed down Ryan Haynes’ corner and Adam Jackson slotted home with six minutes remaining.